I don't know about you but every time Tiger is on pace to win a golf tournament it mesmerizes me. Doesn't matter if he is 1 stroke ahead or 10 strokes ahead. I know I am watching history being made and that one day I can say…"I remember when Tiger won…" add in whatever you want. I was shocked when I actually agreed with something Johnnie Miller said during the TV telecast of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He basically said he thought people overlooked the total tournament won record that Sam Snead holds (82 PGA tournament wins) and they think that the major record of 18 held by Jack is a bigger deal. He said Jack started that claim years ago and people have caught on to that idea, maybe mistakenly. I actually agree with Mr. Miller, especially in todays PGA Tour. Almost every tournament Tiger plays has a stronger field than the majors. Allow me to explain. The WGC events include the top 64 in the OWGR; Arnie and Jack's tournaments are invitationals that only invite the top and best players to participate, The Players Championship is already known to have the strongest field in golf…so if you consider Tiger has won a WGC 17 times, Arnie's tournament 8 times, Jack's Memorial Tournament 5 times, The Players only once, plus his 14 Major victories…wow! So again…I think Tiger's 77 wins are way more remarkable than just the 14 majors he has won or the 18 majors Jack won. If…or should I say when he passes Sam Snead's 82 wins, we should all just accept the fact that we have been watching the best golfer of all time! My money is still on Tiger to win more than 18 majors. Once that happens there will be no more arguments as to who is the best!
So you are struggling with your golf game? Who hasn't at some point? You read the latest tips in the golf magazines. You grab your old golf books off the shelf to refresh your memory on the do's and don'ts. Nothing seems to be the magical cure that you are looking for? Your buddies sure have loads of advice but most don't help at all. You look for a PGA Professional to help you out. Then you see the cost of one lesson...$40, 70, 100+ per lesson. Is it worth it? Maybe...maybe not! Here is what I recommend you do first. Find your local GolfTec. GolfTec offers video swing analysis provided by certified professionals. A quick video analysis will let you see what you are doing. The staff at GolfTec will walk you through a basic analysis and then usually let you hit balls and you can keep recording your swing. People learn better when they can see, touch, and relate to what is being instructed. Once you get a quick swing analysis you can then decide if you want the full-on golf lesson or package of lessons. I am not getting paid by GolfTec at all...I was a customer and I will be again. It helped me when I was preparing for the PGA Players Ability Test (PAT). I had instant feedback and results from seeing my own swing. I was then was able to see when I did things right or wrong. Sooner or later you may need to establish a regular relationship with your PGA Pro at the course. If you do find one that offers video swing analysis. Use the technology available to us all. I promise you you will see results and you will find that magic you need to get better at this game we all love!
This last weekend Tiger won the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral for his 76th win of his career. He led wire-to-wire and really no one doubted he would walk away with the victory. Even his fellow pros tweeted that it was over before the final round even started. For a minute or two Graeme McDowell thought he had a chance to win. Then Steve Stricker made a run at the title, but we all knew it wouldn't happen. I have to say it definitely looks like the Tiger of old is back. His wedge play is perfect. He is hitting towering iron shots to the green that stop on a dime when no one else can hold the greens. He is pounding his driver off the tee when he isn't hitting his patented stinger down the middle with a slight fade. The 5 wood he hit 280+ yards was…well…really? Who hits a 5 wood 280 off the deck? Finally, his putting was phenomenal. Only one player putted better according to the strokes gained putting stat and that was Steve Stricker. Overall Stricker finished second behind Tiger, after giving Tiger a putting tip earlier in the week.
So again did you expect anything else? When Tiger is leading after 36 or 54 holes he is going to win! The folks on Golf Channel Morning Drive had it right…"Tiger is the best finisher in the history of Golf." I said it earlier in the year…2013 is going to be fun to watch in the golf world. GoBigGolf.com predicts this could be the best year Tiger has ever had! Yes I said it…the best year ever! The last time he won twice before The Masters was in 2008…oh yeah he won the U.S. Open that year…remember the battle with Rocco? The big difference this year is Tiger says he is 100% healthy. Lets summarize…Tiger is healthy, putting great, driving the ball the best he ever has, irons and wedges are dialed in, and his personal life is not the center of attention. What does that all add up to? Ummmm sounds like a recipe for Major wins and history being made! Rory Walks Off!
OK OK…it was wrong for Rory to quit after 8 holes last week at the Honda Classic. Give the kid a break. Who hasn't felt like doing that one time or another during a round? Sure he is a the #1 player in the world, he is supposed to be the next great one, and he should know better. However, he is only 23 y/o, just changed golf equipment companies, has the whole world watching his every move…that's a lot of pressure. I think we can cut the kid some slack especially since every other time he has said or done anything it has been pretty much on target! Top Three in OWGR to Tee It Up at Doral! The WGC-Cadillac Championship as usual has grouped the tee times in accordance to the OWGR. That means that Rory, Tiger, and Luke are set to tee it up together on Thursday and Friday. They are all on the short list of players that we all know simply by their first names. No matter what we are all in for a great show…personally I think Luke will out shine the two headliners. You never know though since Tiger and Rory have become fast friends of late this maybe a great pairing for those two. I just want to see great golf, good weather, and no controversy. Tee it up Boys! The Golf Boys Do It Again! It is finally out for public viewing... Golf Boys 2.0. PGA Tour young guns; Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson, Ben Crane, and Rickie Fowler sing and dance (sort of) in their latest music video. This is awesome…maybe not the actually song quality but the sense of humor and the pure fun these guys are having. Not to mention that they are doing it for charity. I think this is refreshing to see a few PGA Tour member open up and show some personality. I hope this is only the second of many more videos. A Tournament Like No Other…The Masters! We are only a month away from The Masters. Need I say more to true golf fans? If you are like me you have already set the DVR, planned on being sick from work, and warned the family not to expect much during the televised hours of the tournament. Every year The Masters provides the best in golf drama and beauty. Two years ago Charl Schwartzel birdied the last four holes to win, last year Bubba did what Bubba does…hooked a gap wedge out of trees 140 yards to win. We can only dream and hope what miracle will occur this year. Will Tiger win number 15? Can Lee Westwood breakthrough for number 1? Does Sergio have a chance? Maybe Luke Donald? Is it possible for the par 3 tournament winner to take the Green Jacket? WOW…really do we have to wait for another month? Bring it on! |
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